Biggest Need for 2009

Huff has generally been awful in Oakland.

Parcells has taken 2 CB's in R1 ever and one of those he didn't want.

 

Again, look at how Pitt beat the Patriots last night; great CB play or pressure on the QB?

In case you missed it, it was pressure on the QB.

 

It also took a number of drafts to be able to build that defense, Timmons and Harrison and Woodley did not arrive all at once, they took time building that unit and trading out parts, JP was deemed expendable and shipped out to install other pieces.

As for Tuna's draft history, he never took a Olineman that highly either, it's not set in stone one way or another, especially if pick in the late teens/early twenties, in that draft slot, a CB could be the best player available..

And Oakland has been a black hole for 4 years or more, every pick who goes there vanishes...ask Bob Gallery how that works..

 

Gallery's had a good season. And it hasn't hurt Asomugha. Or the big tight end.

 

It won't be a CB because Ireland is right when he says that great pressure is a better tool than great CB play.

 

One great thing about what the coaching staff has shown thus far is that they can adapt to whatever is on the roster, so basically the biggest need we have is whatever players (non-QB) that present the greatest value relative to their contract demands and/or draft position. Outside of that, we should probably come away with two more cornerbacks, two more receivers, two more outside linebackers, one more inside linebacker, a nose tackle, a safety, a center, two offensive tackles and a fullback.

 

Actually, Woodley and Timmons did arrive at the same time. Timmons was the Steelers' 1st round pick in 2007, and Woodley was their 2nd round pick in the same year.

 

Not a lot of love for Rey Maluaaga on this board, but I could see us taking him if he slips.

 

id like to have him too but since were winning i doubt he slips that far.

 

Think we'll be looking at a Clint Sintim, Greg Hardy, George Selvie type...maybe a DT like Demarcus Granger, Sen'Derrick Marks or B.J. Raji.

BUT, if the right offensive tackle falls down to our pick, watch out. There are some talented ones like Michael Oher, Eugene Monroe, Eben Britton, Andre and Jason Smith, but the NFL just took like 8 offensive tackles in the first round a year ago, and I could see one of those guys falling maybe just a little bit further than he should. If that happens, Miami could pounce...and feel justified in doing so.

 

Does Vernon Carey look like he should drop a few pounds? He looks like he has a tire around his middle and I saw Leonard Little blow around him at least once. Especially in a contract year he should be dominating- not good timing from Vernon. That Eben Britton guy looks interesting- if we let Carey walk I can see us going T high- if not I still would have no problem with Alex Mack in rd 1 or the Alabama C in rds 2 or 3. Satele better need offseason surgery- at least it will be a valid excuse for his lackluster play.

 

We'll probably pick ahead of Carolina but that's exactly what I was thinking...for the most part I would think you can scratch those teams off from taking an OT...although I guess Detroit with the #1 overall could decide to go with Andre Smith or Michael Oher. Aside from those teams,

The Bills have Jason Peters with big money in Langston Walker.

The Browns have Joe Thomas with big money in Kevin Shaffer.

The Bengals have Levi Jones, Stacey Andrews and Andrew Whitworth.

The Chargers have Marcus McNeil and they like Jeromey Clary, lots of investment in the other OLs too.

The Eagles still have Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan.

The Packers have Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher.

The Saints have Jammal Brown and Jon Stinchcomb.

The 49ers spent a first rounder on Joe Staley to play LT.

The Seahawks still have Walter Jones and Sean Locklear.

The Rams still have Orlando Pace and Alex Barron, with John Greco waiting.

The Jaguars could definitely take a tackle.

The Raiders could definitely take a tackle.


So...we're talking potentially four or five worthy tackles and only two teams that truly need one, two or three others that could maybe use one but also have some investment there or still have an aging veteran and need other things.

It's just something to keep an eye on, I would think. If a Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe or who knows, maybe even Andre Smith? One of those guys falls to our pick, we do have a decision to make.

 

It still points in the right direction- good thesis CK.

 

Still, looking at our safety crew depth-wise and for the future, I gotta believe he can bring more to the table for the latter than Courtney Bryan. I'm not saying we trade for him or anything but I'm willing to see if he can get on track under Bowles as a reasonably priced low-risk/high yield FA.

That's true though I wouldn't mind a Terrence Newman on this squad. Only 2 he's ever drafted turned out pretty good. Who knows, maybe Parcells learned a bit from Newman's success and eases off a bit. Still, I think it'd take an act of God to get him to draft a CB in the 1st round at this stage.

 

I posted this in a thread in the Club level when I was originally comparing our DE rotation to other 3-4 teams DE rotation.

Looking at the numbers and comparing the NTs from each team I just found the main difference between the Dolphins and almost every other 3-4 defense.

These are totals from each team whether it is a team like Baltimore or the Patriots with only one NT playing almost the entire game or teams like the Cowboys, 49ers, Jets rotating guys in and out.


Browns Tackles 77 Sacks 4.5 FF 1 INT O

49ers Tackles 68 Sacks 1 FF 1 INT 0

Jets Tackles 56 Sacks 4 FF 0 INT 0

Dallas Tackles 55 Sacks 7 FF 1 INT 0

Patriots Tackles 50 Sacks 2 FF 0 INT 0

Ravens Tackles 38 Sacks 1 FF 0 INT 1

Steelers Tackles 30 Sacks 1 FF 0 INT 0

Dolphins Tackles 18 Sacks 0 FF 0 INT 0


We are dead last by a wide margin in Tackles from the NT spot, but also look at the lack of ANY big plays. No sacks, no fumble recoveries.

After looking at these types of numbers if anyone still thinks we will not be looking at NT in the 1st two rounds next year may have to re think that position.

 

I dont think we are going after a NT in the first two rounds(unless Terrance Cody is available). Ferguson was drafted in the 7th round as was Jay Ratliff. So i can see Miami drafting a NT in the later rounds.

 

Ratliff and Ferguson were both shots in the dark that panned out. As much emphasis as our head office placed into trading for Ferguson to bridge the gap at NT knowing the importance of the position in stopping the run I still think it will be at the very least in the top 3 rounds where we take one.

 

Is he going to be cheaper than Courtney Bryan?

Answer: No.

 

I think its a no-brainer.
NT
OLB
WR
OL
S/CB

We absolutely need a HUGE NT as Fergi is
A: Injury prone
B: Getting up in age as far as NFL is concerned

OLB:
As stated, this regime (Correctly so) regards pressure at the point of attack very very important. Think outside of the box, a great OLB not only helps put pressure on the QB and thus helping out a pretty good CB core, he also blows up running plays at the point of attack. You get two for 1 with this philosophy, and it IS the philosophy that Parsnips and Ireland share.

We also need a solid WR as we are pretty lean there. Depsnding on whos still on the board, I could easily see our second or third rounder going to WR.

OL:
As much as I dont like it, I also think V-Carey is gone.

Donald Thomas is an enigma still. He only played one game? And all we have to base on is TC and Preaseason. He looked good to that point, but what does that actually mean..>ALSO A Les Franc can be tricky.

Samson might well be moved to G and another Center taken..or Samson is gone and another Center taken

S/CB:
As Boom pointed out, this defensive backfield has gotten much better, especially the last couple of weeks. If you look at the WR's that have been torching us have also been torching the rest of the league . Thats part of the game.

I think Y-Bell's re-emergence, or more accurately re-re-emergence has REALLY helped this defensive backfield.

Also, obviously in the back of the minds of the FO has GOT to be Special Teams. I think every player past the second round has to be considered for Special Teams as it is by far our weakest link.

 

With a team this much under the salary cap, I think we can loosen the purse-strings just a little bit. If he doesn't pan out, we can always cut him.

 

Why would you want to when it flies in the face of the mantra of the management? Open them for a good player, not for a draft bust who offers little more than any back up on your roster.

 

To each his own opinion, but I think Huff can be salvageable. I'm not saying we offer anything market value but certainly if he's available for less, I'm open to giving him an affordable shot. His faults are more than correctable with coaching. Plus, we've already given a crapload for a guy like Ernest Wilford who I felt was just as underachieving a player as Huff. If Wilford is the mantra of management in regards to WR, woe is the position.

 

Wilford was a decent player in Jacksonville who looked like he was set to take the next step up. It hasn't happened. Huff has never been comfortable since he was drafted, flitting between CB and S.

 

I never thought Wilford could take the next step. He was supposed to in 2006 but fell flat. He can't separate from defenders because of total lack of speed and he's had a good share of drops even as a Jaguar. I thought, ok, 3rd or maybe 2nd WR, but he's got nothing to make himself any more than that. Huff hadn't found his position until late just like Jason Allen hadn't. And we've seen why it hurts the player. But if we give him a place to be comfortable with one position, we could reap the benefits. If not, he's cut by the end of the regular season and it's not the end of the world for the franchise.

 

Two points; first, Ireland clearly thought Wilford could take the next step. Secondly, what IS Huff's position? And if you sign him, he's not coming cheap and if you cut him at years end it's a cap hit the like of which Ireland is all about avoiding.

 

I was never really high on the FO's ability to judge WR's anyways but that's beside the point we're discussing here. I don't think he'd be that expensive after his benching by the Raiders and them being the Raiders. I believe they've been rumored to be shopping him in the past. Unless there's a team that will foolishly overpay, I think he could be had for under $1.5 mil a year if he's released, which is what we're paying Hill. If Huff doesn't pan out in preseason, we can cut him before the season starts rather than year's end.

 

Neither of those players were drafted with expectations to be a starting NT.

Jay Ratliff was picked by Parcells to be a rotational/developmental 3-4 DE. He got turned into an NT by Wade Phillips.

Jason Ferguson was the second NT prospect chosen in that very draft, behind Rick Terry, chosen in the 2nd round.

NT is important, they are going to want more than a stopgap or to take a crapshoot in the late rounds of the draft.

 

Yep. Thats about it right there. The ole' double up on picks thing going on. Chances are we two candidates drafted one early-ish and one later.

 

Ferguson was the #229 pick overall in 1997.

#212 Mark Smith DT Auburn
#198 Ed Jasper DT Texas A&M
#149 Barron Tanner DT Oklahoma (Dolphins)
#144 Andre Purvis DT North Carolina
#126 Jermaine Smith DT Georgia
#114 Seth Payne DT Cornell
#101 Antonio Anderson DT Syracuse
#31 Rick Terry DT North Carolina
#28 Trevor Pryce Clemson
#21 Renaldo Wynn Notre Dame

 

No, as in the second NT prospect chosen by the Jets that year.

 

Gotcha.

 

That's rather an odd statement. Why?

 

Mostly just a feeling I have but the Wilford signing, reluctance to acquire talent like TO and draft Terry Glenn, drafting WR's (willingly) in the past decade and more who have yet to field 1000 yards, signing WR's that were either ex-Parcellians or ones no one really wanted, etc tend to bolster that feeling.

 

I guess I could see that. They don't like to spend on that position in the first round, that much is certain. They seem to favor what they recognize as reliability over talent, and that has led to an Ernest Wilford...but it also has led to a Greg Camarillo and a Davone Bess. What happens when they try and acquire above the rim type talent at that position? I don't know that they're even comfortable with above the rim talent at receiver, because typically those guys have attitudes that are complete anathema to their coaching style.

 

Think TJ Houshmanzadeh might fit better?

If Cincy is serious about keeping Johnson they may not want to pay two receivers big money. TJ has never seemed the selfish type, never complained about being in CJ's shadow, etc.

 

Housh is still going to want money, probably number one type money and I dont think the FO is willing to pay close to that. Add in Housh's advanced age (31) I dont think he is a target at all. Sam Hurd and Miles Austin I think are very likely or maybe a Hank Baskett.

 

No, no, and no. Just no thanks to Hurd, Austin and Baskett. Housh has more yards and TDs this season than Hurd and Austin have had their entire careers to date. Baskett has 1015 yards and 6 TDs. Those would good numbers for a season. Unfortunately, those are his career stats.

I apologize for going all statistical on you but the missing element in our WR corps is a big time #1 WR and none of those three fit the bill. None of them work as a #5 WR either because they don't play special teams.

We need to draft a WR. Or trade for one. Rarely do free agents led the league in receptions, yards, and TDs. Just look at this season:

Andre Johnson
Roddy White
Larry Fitzgerald
Greg Jennings
Calvin Johnson
Steve Smith
Anquan Boldin
Brandon Marshall
Lee Evans
Reggie Wayne
Wes Welker
Santana Moss

None of them were signed as free agents. You can take a chance on a risky player like T.O. Every once in a while a Derrick Mason or a Bernard Berrian might become available. However, those types of situations are few and far between.